At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the delivery of high-quality data solutions and own projects from start to finish.
- Company: Join Oakland, a top consultancy known for its friendly, hands-on culture and impactful work.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, generous pension, learning opportunities, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to social and environmental impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference with data while working across diverse industries and technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience in data engineering, Python, SQL, and cloud-based solutions is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
About Us
At Oakland, we help businesses unlock the power of their data. Whether it's data strategy, governance, engineering, analytics, or AI, we work with our clients to turn data into real, impactful results. Our team is made up of friendly, hands‑on experts who love solving problems and making a difference. We don’t just advise, we roll up our sleeves and get stuck in, working alongside our clients every step of the way. Founded in 1986 out of our Leeds HQ, we work with a diverse range of clients across all sorts of industries including Utilities, Telecommunications, Media, Financial Services, Public Sector, and many more! Our projects range from multi‑year data transformations to specific, shorter‑term assignments, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to diversify your skillset. We meet high standards for social and environmental impact, transparency, and accountability. We believe businesses should be a force for good, so we make sure our decisions don’t just benefit the bottom line but also our people, communities, and the planet. And it’s not just us saying we’re a great place to work... we were recently named a Top 5 Best Consultancy to work for in the UK through Best Companies! We’re all about creating an environment where people can grow, do meaningful work, and enjoy the journey.
Blended Working: We operate a blended working model, with colleagues spending at least two days per week in the office, aligned to project team requirements. Occasional travel to client sites may also be required. This balance helps us stay connected, learn from each other, and build strong relationships - both within our team and with the businesses we support.
The Role
As a Senior Data Engineer at Oakland, you’ll lead the delivery of high‑quality data solutions for our clients. You’ll take ownership of projects end‑to‑end - setting the technical direction, getting stuck into the build, and making sure what we deliver is solid, scalable, and genuinely useful. No two projects are the same, so you’ll be working across different industries, technologies, and problem spaces. It’s a mix of hands‑on engineering and leadership - supporting others, making key decisions, and helping projects land well. Our work covers Data Strategy, Data Management, Data Platforms, AI, and Analytics. You’ll be joining a consultancy that prides itself on shaping solutions that deliver business value and lasting impact, and you'll be working alongside a talented team of 25+ Engineers & Architects, sharing ideas, supporting each other, and helping raise the bar across the team. We’re tech‑agnostic and client‑first - we use whatever works best, whether that’s our own platform or tools from partners like Microsoft, AWS, Databricks, Snowflake, etc.
What We’re Looking For
You’re an experienced Data Engineer who’s comfortable owning things from start to finish. You’ve delivered complex projects before and know what “good” looks like - from code quality to architecture, to working with stakeholders. You may be at mid‑level, and feel ready for a step up, or you may already be at a Senior level, looking for a new challenge. You’re still hands‑on (this isn’t a pure leadership role), but you’re also happy leading workstreams, guiding others, and making calls when needed. At this level, we’d expect you to:
- Design and build robust, scalable data solutions
- Take the lead on projects or key pieces of work
- Set and maintain high engineering standards
- Support and mentor other Engineers
- Work directly with clients to understand problems and shape solutions
You don’t need to know every tool, but you should be adaptable and open to learning - we work across a pretty broad ecosystem of technologies.
The Skillset
We’re looking for a mix (not all!) of the experience and skills below:
- Strong experience with Python and SQL
- Solid experience designing and building cloud‑based data solutions (Azure preferred, AWS/GCP also fine)
- Experience building and maintaining complex data pipelines at scale
- Hands‑on experience with modern platforms such as Fabric, Snowflake, or Databricks
- An understanding of data modelling, architecture, and how platforms fit together
- Experience with DevOps practices (CI/CD, testing, monitoring)
- Experience working from requirements through to delivery
- Comfortable working with clients and stakeholders
- Relevant certifications from Microsoft, AWS, Snowflake, and GCP are desirable, but not essential
Benefits that put you first
At Oakland, we believe in taking care of our people - both inside and outside of work. Here’s what you can expect when you join us:
- Health & Wellbeing – Enjoy Private Healthcare from day one for you and your household, including dental cover, physiotherapy, mental health support, and access to a range of wellbeing services to keep you feeling your best.
- Discretionary Bonus – Your hard work won’t go unnoticed. When we do well, you’ll do well.
- Generous Pension – We invest in your future with a 10% employer contribution, plus flexible options so you can adjust to your investment preferences.
- Electric Vehicle Scheme – Drive greener with tax‑efficient options to get behind the wheel of an electric car.
- Giving Back – Support causes you care about with our Payroll Giving Scheme and Matched Charitable Giving program.
- Bike to Work Scheme – Save money, stay active, and enjoy tax savings on a new bike.
- Family‑Friendly Policies – We support all paths to parenthood with: Enhanced Maternity Pay – 16 weeks full pay, 10 weeks half pay; Enhanced Paternity Pay – 2 weeks full pay, 2 weeks half pay; Adoption, Surrogacy & Shared Parental Leave; Fertility Treatment Support – Because your family matters.
- Time to Recharge – 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (and your allowance grows the longer you’re with us!).
- Learning & Development – We invest in you with: Personalised development plans tailored to your goals; Full support for certifications; Access to The Oakland Academy for a suite of learning materials; An annual Personal Learning Budget to upskill in ways that matter to you.
- Refer & Earn – Know someone great? If they join us, you’ll get a referral bonus as a thank you.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at Oakland
At Oakland, we believe that diverse perspectives drive better outcomes for our people, our clients, and our business. Our commitment to DEIB isn’t just about policies; it’s about creating a workplace where everyone feels heard, valued, and empowered to thrive. We are building a truly inclusive Oakland where you can be yourself, no matter your background, gender, age, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that makes you, you.
Fair & Inclusive Hiring – Every interviewer completes recruitment and unconscious bias training, and our hiring process is skills‑based and structured to ensure fairness and consistency for all candidates.
Support Throughout the Interview Process – If you require any reasonable accommodations to make your interview experience more accessible, our Talent team is here to help. Just let us know.
Senior Data Engineer in Leeds employer: Story Terrace Inc.
At Oakland, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide tailored development plans, generous benefits including private healthcare and a robust pension scheme, and a focus on work-life balance through our blended working model. Our recent recognition as a Top 5 Best Consultancy to work for in the UK reflects our dedication to creating a meaningful and rewarding environment for our team members in Leeds.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Data Engineer in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Oakland's projects and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Practise common interview questions and be ready to showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving data solutions. Highlight your adaptability and willingness to learn new technologies, as this is key for a role at Oakland.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Oakland team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Data Engineer in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Data Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience with Python, SQL, and cloud-based solutions, and show us how you’ve tackled complex projects in the past.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:We love candidates who can demonstrate their problem-solving abilities. Share specific examples of how you've designed and built robust data solutions, and how you’ve worked directly with clients to shape those solutions.
Keep It Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We want to see your skills and experience shine through without any fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Story Terrace Inc.
✨Know Your Data Tools
Familiarise yourself with the tools and technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Python, SQL, and cloud platforms like Azure. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these tools and how you've used them to solve real-world problems.
✨Showcase Your Project Experience
Prepare to talk about specific projects you've led or contributed to. Highlight your role in designing and building data solutions, and be ready to explain how you ensured high engineering standards and delivered value to clients.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with clients and mentoring other engineers, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders and supported team members in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability
Oakland values adaptability, so be ready to discuss how you've learned new technologies or adjusted your approach based on project needs. Share instances where you've tackled unfamiliar challenges and how you approached learning in those situations.
